25 SEPTEMBER 1886, Page 1

It is believed in Bulgaria that the Russian candidate will

be the Prince of Montenegro, and that his chance is not a bad one, the leaders in Sofia having an idea that any Prince they may elect will be unable to endure Russian dictation. Her agents contrive to make submission too humiliating. That is probably correct, and it must not be forgotten that Prince Nicholas, though obedient to Russian advice, has been bred up from childhood as an absolute Prince, and has the strong will and courage of his family. Nobody will kidnap him amidst his Montenegrin guards, and he will have always in the Black Mountain an alternative dominion from which he cannot be dislodged. It is said that the nomination, even if made by the Sobranje, will be bitterly opposed by the Austrian Government; but that is not quite so certain. Prince Nicholas has friends in Vienna, and can make the recruiting quarrels in the Herzegovina very unpleasant for Austria. It is quite possible that an unknown man may be elected after all ; but at present the most probable candidate is Prince Nicholas.